Yōkai: Scenes of the Supernatural in Japanese Woodblock Prints
Open Saturday, May 9, 2026 – Sunday, August 30, 2026
Yōkai are mysterious phenomena and bizarre beasts that have inhabited Japan’s landscapes, homes, folklore and imagination for many centuries. They can be evil or benign spirits, ranging from shape-shifting animals to vengeful ghosts. Many of these creatures and their activities have been described in folklore, legends and historical texts, gradually becoming the subjects of paintings and theater. This exhibition presents 90 works—featuring woodblock prints and printed books (e-hon) spanning over 250 years—that explore the realm of the supernatural.
The prints and printed books in this exhibition are from the collection of Scripps College in Claremont, California.